Screams seeped through the hallways of the Student Center on Thursday evening, March 12.
Nearly 60 students, faculty and anyone who got word about the IUS Gay-Straight Alliance’s latest event, gathered in the Hoosier Room to watch the hip thrusts and lip synching of students’ Travis Goffinet and Blake Seigneurie.
Goffinet and Seigneurie were just two of several students who participated in a drag show, sponsored by GSA.
“The experience was brisk to say the least,” Seigneurie said. “I like the feeling of wind running through my hair.”
Seigneurie, who stands in excess 6 feet, skipped and danced around the Hoosier Room while he made his drag debut as one half of the performing group, the Dainty Raindrops.
Goffinet and Seigneurie, wearing tight dresses, straddled audience members to the beat of “It’s Raining Men,” while IUS faculty judged the participants on their originality, talent, stage presence and audience participation.
Kimberly Pelle, coordinator of Non-Traditional Student Programs and one of the drag show judges, commented on the event and its performances.
“It was a bunch of students having a good time, a good laugh and letting off a little post mid-term steam. There was a lot of laughter, clapping and whoop-whooping,” Pelle said. “This event has the potential to be one of the larger events on campus.”
The Raindrops finished third in the competition, but Goffinet, who participated twice, won first place with Bethany Strunk and Angel Burke. The trio, performing as “Pimps and Ho,” choreographed an R-rated dance to rapper Flo Rida’s song, “Right Round,” leaving the audience standing and cheering.
Upon being awarded first place and a $40 Visa gift card, Goffinet’s facial expression didn’t read amused.
“I knew I’d win first place, so it’s no surprise,” Goffinett said sassily to the audience.
John Deurr, who performed as Angelina Sachez, won second place for his rendition of “What’s Love Got To Do With It.”
Deale Houston, GSA president, emceed the event.
“I was quite pleased with the show,” Houston said. “We got a lot of laughs and everybody seemed to have fun.”
Charging a $3 admission for students, Houston and GSA helped to raise $230 for the Center for Women and Families.
“We were hoping for a good turnout,” Houston said. “It’s always good to get more people than anticipated.”
Houston said there will be another drag show next year.
“We hope that we have more people next year — participants and [sic] attendants,” Houston said.
By HUNTER EMBRY
Staff Writer
ahembry@ius.edu
